Author Topic: What Books are you reading???? just curious! (Read 43862 times)

Jrong · « **Reply #520 on:** April 05, 2012, 01:49:38 PM »

"The Believing Brain" by Michael Shermer. http://www.michaelshermer.com/the-believing-brain/ I started it a while back and am finally getting around to finishing it. About 1/3 of it is detailed scientific experiments (booooring but necessary). Another 1/3 of it is all about Michael ("Hey, look at me, I'm Michael Shermer and I'm so cool." No, you're actually a d@#bag). The remaining 1/3rd definitely makes the book worth reading. Best book I've read in a long time. Great premise. World-view changing. I highly recommend it.

I don't recommend this book b/c I like the guy (I really dislike him), but he has some very good things to say concerning what neuroscientists are learning about why we believe what we believe.

rahfh · « **Reply #521 on:** April 05, 2012, 06:17:14 PM »

A history of western philosophy - Bertrand Russel.. a tomb I dragged with my on my trip here.

rogue85 · « **Reply #522 on:** April 05, 2012, 06:18:40 PM »

Quote from: Jrong on April 05, 2012, 01:49:38 PM

"The Believing Brain" by Michael Shermer. http://www.michaelshermer.com/the-believing-brain/ I started it a while back and am finally getting around to finishing it. About 1/3 of it is detailed scientific experiments (booooring but necessary). Another 1/3 of it is all about Michael ("Hey, look at me, I'm Michael Shermer and I'm so cool." No, you're actually a d@#bag). The remaining 1/3rd definitely makes the book worth reading. Best book I've read in a long time. Great premise. World-view changing. I highly recommend it.

I don't recommend this book b/c I like the guy (I really dislike him), but he has some very good things to say concerning what neuroscientists are learning about why we believe what we believe.

Really good book.

flasyb · « **Reply #523 on:** April 05, 2012, 06:24:16 PM »

Quote from: rahfh on April 05, 2012, 06:17:14 PM

A history of western philosophy - Bertrand Russel.. a tomb I dragged with my on my trip here.

Staying for the long haul, eh? Chosen a cemetery yet?

Just kidding, really. I need to stop playing computer games, read my current stack of books and then get some Bertrand. I just know him as the t-pot in space guy philosopher that everybody talks about.

PrinceHal · « **Reply #524 on:** April 06, 2012, 01:01:52 AM »

Right now I'm reading Sons and Lovers by D. H. Lovers. It's technically for a class, but I got to choose it on my own, and it's a good one.

Rusty Shackleford · « **Reply #525 on:** April 06, 2012, 07:46:24 AM »

I found the Bourne Identity in a second hand book shop. I had forgotten the movie was based on a novel. It's pretty brainless and the dialog is atrocious (tons of tell not show), but the action scenes are actually quite exciting. I'm not sure if I will finish it.

Another series of novels that is ripe for adaptation to the screen is the Fletch series. Really funny and some good action scenes as well. http://www.amazon.com/Fletch-Gregory-Mcdonald/dp/0375713549/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1333658694&sr=8-4
It's a shame they're not available in kindle format but there is a really good torrent of them in mobi format and the author is dead so you don't have to worry about him missing out on royalties.

hiphopopotamus · « **Reply #526 on:** April 06, 2012, 02:45:10 PM »

Yesterday I picked up a Roald Dahl book at Kyobo in Daegu. It's called "Someone Like You" and is a collection of fifteen of his story stories (not the fantasy kid stuff). I've always appreciated his short fiction. I read the first three yesterday. Great book!

Rusty Shackleford · « **Reply #527 on:** April 06, 2012, 03:38:53 PM »

Quote from: hiphopopotamus on April 06, 2012, 02:45:10 PM

Yesterday I picked up a Roald Dahl book at Kyobo in Daegu. It's called "Someone Like You" and is a collection of fifteen of his story stories (not the fantasy kid stuff). I've always appreciated his short fiction. I read the first three yesterday. Great book!

I have a great big omnibus of all his short stories, about 800 pages. I love dipping into it from time to time, it never fails to surprise. Much of it is definitely not kids' stuff. Lot's of violence and blood and guts and seedy characters and a ton of surrealism. I think it's this one. http://www.amazon.com/Collected-Short-Stories-Roald-Dahl/dp/0718135458/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1333686832&sr=8-13
Well worth it if you can get your hands on a copy.

Schellib39 · « **Reply #528 on:** April 06, 2012, 04:20:52 PM »

I have become very interested in reading about North Korea and it's political prisons.

I just finished Escaping North Korea by Mike Kim, not nearly as good as I had hoped. Just began reading Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West by Blaine Harden. This book was just released in March and is about Shin Dong-Hyuk, the only known North Korean to have been born inside a gulag and escaped. Has received very good reviews. Other decent reads on North Korea that I have enjoyed include Rogue Regime: Kim Jong Il and the Looming Threat of North Korea, Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, The Aquariums of Pyongyang and Comrades and Strangers: Behind the Closed Doors of North Korea.

threefold · « **Reply #529 on:** April 06, 2012, 05:33:28 PM »

Orhan Pamuk's "My Name is Red"

A ripper of a read so far.

hiphopopotamus · « **Reply #530 on:** April 07, 2012, 10:03:16 AM »

Quote from: threefold on April 06, 2012, 05:33:28 PM

Orhan Pamuk's "My Name is Red"

A ripper of a read so far.

There's a new TED talk by Chip Kidd, who designed the book cover for "My Name is Red" among other popular titles. He mentions his design for this book and it's really quite clever. I can't remember at what point in the 17-minute talk he mentions this title, but it's worth viewing I think

http://www.ted.com/talks/chip_kidd_designing_books_is_no_laughing_matter_ok_it_is.html

threefold · « **Reply #531 on:** April 09, 2012, 11:45:17 AM »

Thanks for the link!

Tonga007 · « **Reply #532 on:** April 09, 2012, 01:48:33 PM »

I read please look after mother
I enjoyed the book, now when I go through Seoul station and other hot spot transfer points I am more aware of my surroundings and the people in them.

alyssa.callahan · « **Reply #533 on:** April 09, 2012, 06:08:33 PM »

Wow, everyone likes all this non-fiction and thriller stuff! :o

I'm slightly embarrassed to admit it, but I am a big fan of young adult fantasy (except Twilight... I can't stand that book.) ::)

I'm currently trying to read the Hunger Games series. I read the first volume before the second and third book were published but wasn't a fan. Now that all three books are out and the movies are starting to make their rounds, I figured it's time to pick it up. I'm on the second one, "Catching Fire". I liked the first book better the second time I read it for some reason.

hahaha27 · « **Reply #534 on:** April 09, 2012, 06:27:11 PM »

I read Shanghai baby at the weekend, it started off so promising but I didn't like it all that much overall. Going to start Wild Swans next which has better reviews!
I recommend Shantaram, loved it

nimchimpskii · « **Reply #535 on:** April 10, 2012, 10:25:31 AM »

Just finished 'A feast of crows' by George R.R. Martin. Also second season of 'Game of thrones' has just started -YIPPEE!

Rusty Shackleford · « **Reply #536 on:** April 10, 2012, 10:35:09 AM »

Quote from: nimchimpskii on April 10, 2012, 10:25:31 AM

Just finished 'A feast of crows' by George R.R. Martin. Also second season of 'Game of thrones' has just started -YIPPEE!

How did you like it?

I just finished A Dance With Dragons. A Feast For Crows is probably my least favorite. Unfortunately, the series doesn't get any more exciting than A Storm Of Swords but it does improve from FFC.

nimchimpskii · « **Reply #537 on:** April 11, 2012, 01:29:56 PM »

Quote from: Rusty Shackleford on April 10, 2012, 10:35:09 AM

Quote from: nimchimpskii on April 10, 2012, 10:25:31 AM
Just finished 'A feast of crows' by George R.R. Martin. Also second season of 'Game of thrones' has just started -YIPPEE!

How did you like it?

I just finished A Dance With Dragons. A Feast For Crows is probably my least favorite. Unfortunately, the series doesn't get any more exciting than A Storm Of Swords but it does improve from FFC.

I absolutely loved it! My favourite character so far is Arya, so I loved the last book. I hope he finishes the series before he kicks the bucket.

mfrenglish · « **Reply #538 on:** April 11, 2012, 03:22:19 PM »

About to finish Dreaming in Chinese by Deborah Fallows. Then I'll be starting Through the Language Glass by Guy Deutscher. Has anybody read either of these?

leeam88 · « **Reply #539 on:** April 11, 2012, 04:02:49 PM »

The Hunger Games, as tribute to the movie!! lol.